By Michaela Gordoni
The AMERICAN IDOL judges are ready for the season’s first live show, which has a focus on faith.
“We’re going to sing. We’re doing a Lionel [Richie] song, ‘Jesus Is Love,'” Luke Bryan said on GOOD MORNING AMERICA.
“Many of these kids come from gospel backgrounds…we all kind of honed our skills in front of the church,” Bryan continued. “So when we give them the opportunity to kind of go to the faith-based night, they really embrace it.”
Carrie Underwood thinks these could be some inspiring performances.
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Lionel Richie said the upcoming episodes are “the foundation of what we’re all about.”
“There’s no such thing as too hot,” Richie said. “Get our attention as fast as you can…you’ve got one time around each time to make it work. So when they walk out and have that much fire going, bring it on.”
All three judges will perform in the live show on Monday. Underwood will perform “How Great Thou Art” with last season contestants Filo Ebid, Kolbi Jordan and Canaan James Hill, Just Jared reported. “Richie and Bryan will join the top 20 contestants in a performance of ‘Jesus is Love.'”
By the end of the night, eight contestants will be eliminated. The judges have already hinted at their favorites.
Bryan called Ruby Rae “one of our best singers” and said Julián Kalel is a “frontrunner of the competition.” Underwood said Abayomi is “a Disney star in the making.” And Richie hinted one singer gave “the greatest performance I have ever seen on this stage.”
AMERICAN IDOL just announced a companion podcast, hosted by BOY MEETS WORLD star Danielle Fishell, that will launch after the first live show. There will be a new episode after every live show, so fans can immerse themselves in the competition. It will feature interviews, behind-the-scenes insights, and expert analysis of the judges’ critiques, American Songwriter said.
“I’ve been watching since FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY and now I’ll be there for the whole journey,” Fishel wrote on her socials, referring to the 2003 movie about two IDOL stars. “Catch me as the new host of the ‘American Idol Official Podcast’ which premiers Wednesday April 1st on @disneyplus, @hulu and wherever you get your podcasts! Make sure to tune into the @americanidol live shows every Monday starting March 30th. See you there!”
The first live show airs Monday, March 30, with more to follow as the competition nears the end of its run.
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